Valpo Game

[KingPK76]

Just got back from the game in Valpo.  Fun place to watch a game.  Felt like 
a big high school field house.  Loud crowd, good support for their team.  Very 
physical game.  The refs at one point would call very weak touch fouls and 
then would overlook some pretty blatant hacks.   Very inconsistent but they 
didn't seem to be favoring either team.  A couple of times there was some woofing 
between players but nothing big happened.   

Observations:

1.    Bobbitt is definitely the spark on this team.  He is pure energy at all 
times on the court and has calmed down and matured considerably since last 
year.   He has very quick hands and feet on defense and is playing in control on 
offense.  I think we have seen the results of his hard work over the past 
several games and it looks like it will continue.  I spoke with him after the 
game and he was basically playing through cramps in his calf muscles all game.  
Gutsy effort.   Favorite play of the night was in the first half when Valpo 
started to go on a run and their crowd got very loud and on its feet.  Bobbitt 
calmly dribbles up the court, knows he shouldn't, but pulls the trigger on a 
long three and drains it.  Crowd promptly shuts up and sits down.  Valpo run over.

2.    Huggins is still searching for the right point guard.  Nick and Chad 
are both pretty inconsistent right now.  Both had some stupid turnovers and are 
still a step slow on defense.  Both let players run back door on them several 
times.  He played both Kirkland and Bobbitt at various times at the point 
tonight.   Kirkland looked good at the piont late in the game but no one seems to 
be able to get the ball in to Max.

3.    Max is still trying to find his comfort zone.  His shot is still very 
flat (remind anyone of the early Kenyon?) but in the meantime is playing great 
defense and rebounding.  You could tell he missed Whaley tonight on the 
offensive end (they were definitely keying on him).

4.    Valpo watched the game tape from Coppin State.  They were stuck on 
Field all night but he still managed to get open for a few treys and had some nice 
drives and dishes or finishes.  They had no answer for Bobbitt though.  He's 
too quick to stop.  Having those two on the court together is dangerous for 
other teams.

5.    Most impressive thing about this team is its defense.    The team knows 
how to shut down and intimidate others (even without the half court trap).   
Even if we're having difficulty on offense (as we will if we keep relying on 
the 3 ball), we still will be in every game this year.  

Good team effort overall especially in a hostile environment.  Our bench is 
very very deep and we are playing without two of our best players.  Can't wait 
for us to be full strength.   The bench really allows Huggins keep the 
attention of the players on the court and keep them focused (if they want to stay in 
the game).   We could be very dangerous.   Night and day from last season.  Go 
Cats!

-Paul